Category Archives: Military Matters

+ Burnside

Posted on May 1, 2014 by SUMPTER

The rebels are realizing General Grant is going to have even more troops as the inevitable campaign soon begins. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 2, 1864: From Northern Virginia. Orange C. H.April 30. –Our scouts report that Burnside has … Continue reading →

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straddle

Posted on April 30, 2014 by SUMPTER

It’s May 1st somewhere … Since the beginning of the war Elmira served as a rendezvous point for New York soldiers heading south. Here’s evidence that Union soldier miscreants were also confined there and that Confederate prisoners would soon be … Continue reading →

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brief furlough

Posted on April 26, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1864: AT HOME. – Lieut. WM. VAN RENSSELEAR of the 50th Engineer Regiment, is at home on a brief furlough.

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Sunday drive

Posted on April 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today General Meade provided another balanced assessment of his new boss. From The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade … (page 191): HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 24, 1864. Cram and John Cadwalader arrived yesterday … Continue reading →

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lookout

Posted on April 23, 2014 by SUMPTER

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 23 1864: From Northern Virginia. Orange C. H., April 23d. –Observations from Clark’s Mountain disclose no change in the Yankee camps. It is reported that the enemy will begin to-day moving up their rear, … Continue reading →

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Flanders … again?

Posted on April 22, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week a Northern paper expressed surprise that General Grant would focus his attention on the worn-out Virginia theater. After all, the new Commander-in-Chief of all the Union armies was from out west, where most the momentum … Continue reading →

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“one change of under-clothing”

Posted on April 16, 2014 by SUMPTER

In preparation for spring campaigning New York’s First Veteran Cavalry is severely reducing its baggage. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper: From the First Veterans. CAMP QUITS, MARTINSBURG, VA. April 16th, 1864. FRIEND STOWELL: – The 1st Veterans having … Continue reading →

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Aprilpole

Posted on April 15, 2014 by SUMPTER

A photograph of the “Military telegraph construction corps” taken by Alexander Gardner in April 1865: You can read more about this photograph at the Cornell Library. Apparently as the Overland campaign began in May 1864 a new insulated wire began … Continue reading →

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“an indiscriminate slaughter”

Posted on April 12, 2014 by SUMPTER

“The fort ran with blood.” From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 18, 1864: The capture of Fort Pillow Mobile, April 16. –A special dispatch to the Advertiser and Register from Fort Pillow, 12th [13th?], says: Forrest attacked this place with … Continue reading →

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no gray area

Posted on April 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

Baltimore erupted in April 1861 as Northern troops marched through it on their way to defend the United States’ capital. Three years later, the recently appointed military commander in Baltimore apparently was trying to make it clear that he wasn’t … Continue reading →

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